SARGODHA: (Tahir Kamboh) Farmers in Sargodha suffered major losses after toxic water from an illegally constructed hill dam was released into nearby canals, destroying hundreds of acres of standing crops and killing livestock.
The dam, created by stone-crushing leaseholders on Hill No. 126 South near Pul Eleven, was dug to hundreds of feet underground, allowing toxic water to accumulate. According to residents, the leaseholders intentionally breached the dam under cover of night, flooding surrounding fields and settlements. The debris from the dam also completely blocked a nearby canal, worsening the situation.
Local villagers staged protests and appealed to the Punjab Chief Minister, the Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner of Sargodha to take notice. They allege collusion between the mining department and influential leaseholders has allowed illegal excavation and dangerous hill mining to continue unchecked, threatening lives and livelihoods.
Residents said this was not the first incident, as previous breaches of the dam had also caused crop losses and inundated communities. They urged authorities to hold responsible individuals accountable and provide compensation to affected poor farmers.
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